Luxury trains are special trains designed specifically to offer a sumptuous yet elegant train ride, and evoke a strong sense of association as in history, heritage and decadence of a leisure ride. Luxury trains operate in several countries and offer a luxurious and comfortable traveling option to the luxury travelers. Whereas some luxury trains offer whirlwind tour across major destinations of a country/area other trains take the guest on a long leisure ride, cutting across state borders.
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Nowadays there is an increase in the trend of luxury train travel around the world. Luxury train travel has several advantages over travel on airplanes. Whereas during air travel the monotony of the journey is occasionally broken by the view of clouds, hovering here and there, through the plane's window, a winding luxury ride on board the trains provides ample opportunity to the guests to witness the myriad colors of the places they are traveling to. There are a number of reasons for the growing popularity of the luxury trains over air travel, which includes ample space, restaurants and bars, spacious and comfortable sleeping and seating area and even wash/bath rooms. Since the time of introduction of Pioneer in 1864 by American industrialist George Mortimer Pullman[1], luxury train travel has come a long way.
In the past, train travel was quite an uncomfortable experience. Without sleeping and dining cars, long distance traveling used to be a harrowing experience. Things changed when Pioneer was introduced by Pullman in 1864. In 1867, "Hotel Cars" were introduced[2]. Pioneer was the first railway carriage to introduce dining cars and sleeping cars[3] in train leading to more comfort during travelling especially a long distance journey. Pullman Car Company was founded in 1880[2] and was one of the leading luxury passenger railroad car providers. Another person credited with the beginning of the luxury train travel was Georges Nagelmackers, founder of the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits. Inspired by the Pullman trains during his America visit, Nagelmackers returned to Europe and built a fleet of over 30 luxury trains which offered luxury train travel across several destinations in Europe. He is credited with the beginning of the age of luxury trains and grand hotels. Since the dawn of the age of luxury trains, the most famous and revered luxury train is perhaps the legendary Orient Express immortalized by Agatha Christie in her book “Murder on the Orient Express”. Orient Express happens to be the first luxury train in Europe. It embarked on its maiden journey on 5 June 1883 from Paris Gare de l'Est across Europe. Today the Orient Express not only provides luxury train travel across Europe but several destinations around the globe. Besides Orient Express a number of private operators as well as joint ventures between government parties and private tour operators are providing luxury train travel options in several countries.
Perhaps the single largest luxury train tour operators in the world[4], Orient-Express Hotels Ltd boasts of operating most numbers of luxury train tour in the world. With services in Europe, Asia and South America, Orient Express is the only private luxury tour provider (With the exception of Grand Trans Siberian Express) to offer pan continental luxury travel services.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a private luxury train service which offer luxury train travels from London to Venice, is arguably one of the most popular luxury tourist trains in the world. It was also voted as the number 1 luxury train in the world[5].
The Royal Scotsman, operated by Orient-Express Hotels Ltd offers an unhurried luxury train cruise with only 36 passengers across selected scenic landscapes of Scotland.
Providers of luxury train tours in Peru, Hiram Bingham is one of the luxury Orient Express service. This train charts the course of scenic Machhu Picchu, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.[6]
Northern Belle is a luxury train owned by Venice-Simplon Orient Express, operating railtours and charters that complement the programme of the British Pullman train. Introduced in 2000, the train consists primarily of British Rail Mark 2 coaching stock, refurbished internally and painted externally to resemble the vintage Brighton Belle coaches of the British Pullman. The buffet cars are British Rail Mark 1 coaches. Unlike the British Pullman, the train primarily operates in the north of England and Scotland. The train also has two British Rail Mark 3 sleeper coaches for its crew.[7]
The train embarks from a number of Northern UK cities, including Liverpool, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester. Northern Belle comprises six dining cars named after historic British houses[8].
The exclusive Eastern and Oriental Express, winding through some of the most exotic and spectacular locales from Bangkok to Singapore via Kuala Lumpur, offers an unforgettable ride through mystic landscapes. Covering over 2,000 km[9] of peninsular South East Asia, the two-day journey offered by the Eastern and Oriental Express has frequent stops at scenic locations. This luxury train has three classes of coach, elegant decor and come equipped with contemporary amenities, including 24-hour steward service, international electric sockets (220 volts) and 110 volt adapter for razors, a personal safe and hairdryer. All coaches are fully air-conditioned and come with en suite shower and washbasin[10]. Eastern and Oriental Express offer 4 distinct journeys which lets you discover the mystique and enchantment of peninsular Asia.
British Pullman train takes its name from George Mortimer Pullman founder of the Pullman Car Company. One of the key attributes which sets the British Pullman train apart is that it consists of the vintage carriages which ran on the legendary 1920's services of the original Orient Express. British Pullman train comes with a total of 11 carriages which bear testimony to the history and legend that is Orient Express. Quaint decor, exquisite artistic skills art deco marquetry along with consummate hospitality gives an unmatchable character to this luxury train. Each carriage of this train is a walking gallery of grandeur. Each name has its own history, its own motif and its own legend. British Pullman can carry 226 passengers. The guests on board the British Pullman train are offered gourmet dining options and each course is accompanied by rare wines and finest champagnes[11]. British Pullman train is arguably the best way to discover the British countryside.
Established in 1989, Rovos Rail, a luxury train in Africa began its maiden journey on 29 April 1989[12]. Rovos Rail offers pan African luxury train journeys spanning over 24 hours to a fortnight. Rovos Rail also offers private rail charters, golf tour and a special journey spanning over 7 African countries combining Rovos Rail, private plane and a 5 star luxury cruise[12].
Palace on Wheels, voted as the 4th best luxury train in the world[13] is a luxury train in India. Palace on Wheels offer a luxurious ride to the guest across destinations in Rajasthan along with Agra. Palace on Wheels has 14 coaches named after the princely states of erstwhile Rajputana. The aesthetics and decor of the salons reflects the heritage, culture and opulence of the Maharajas of the bygone era. The train also houses two pantry cars, a bar and a lounge for the pleasure of the guests[14]. This train is operated by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation Ltd., a government of Rajasthan undertaking.
A joint venture between Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Cox & Kings, Royale Indian Rail Tours Ltd (RIRTL)[15]. is the official operator of Maharajas Express, the latest luxury train in India. Billed as one of the most luxurios train in the world and India's answer to the Orient Express, this train offers 4 signature journeys[16] to the guests across major tourist destinations in India. A ride on board the Maharajas Express is the costliest luxury ride in India[17].
This Indian luxury train commenced its service from December 2009. Royal Rajasthan on Wheels was launched on the queue of Palace on Wheels (RRoW), the most revered and popular luxury train in India[18]. Royal Rajasthan on Wheels takes the guests on a regal ride of destinations in Rajasthan. Recently two destinations, Khajuraho and Varanasi, were added to the itinerary of the train[19]. This train, composed of 22 coaches, can carry 82 passengers in a journey with one Super Deluxe saloon, thirteen Deluxe Saloons and two restro-lounges. With facilities like spa and fitness center on board, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels is one of the most luxurious trains in the world[20].
Featured on the BBC TV's list of 50 Things to do Before You Die[21] Rocky Mountaineer Rail takes the guest on a once in a lifetime tour along the Rocky Mountains with its snow covered peaks, huge forests and glacier fed lakes in Canada. In 1990, Canada's national rail operator VIA Rail sold off it's 'Rockies by daylight' scenic train to a private company called Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, who renamed it 'The Rocky Mountaineer'. The Rocky Mountaineer operates on four different[22] routes in the Canadian Rockies, through spectacular scenery with truly world class service on board[23].
Winner of the prestigious 'Africa's Leading Luxury Train' award for two years in a row (2009–10)[24], Blue Train combines the best of a luxury 5 Star hotel interiors and the irresistible allure of leisure train travel. Blue Train offer luxury rides across several destinations in South Africa. This train is also available for private charter[25].
The Golden Chariot, a luxury train in India offers a whirlwind luxury tour across important tourist destinations in South India along with Goa. The Golden Chariot offers two distinct itineraries to the guests which are the Southern Splendor and Pride of the South[26].
The Ghan, a luxury train in Australia, connects 2,979 kilometres of breathtaking locales through the heart of the Australian continent from Darwin in the north to Adelaide in the south[27].
Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express launched in April, 2007 takes the guests on a 6000 miles luxurious journey, world's longest train journey[28], across two continents and 8 time zones. Golden Eagle train traverses the course of famous Trans-Siberian Railroad which connects Moscow and European Russia with the Russian Far East provinces, Mongolia, China and the Sea of Japan.